(4) PS Illustrated by Joyce Wan. Housemates Pug and Pig (of Pug Meets Pig) have different ideas about Halloween fun: Pig loves wearing a costume and mask, but Pug finds his uncomfortable and alienating. They find a (rather contrived) solution that allows the two to enjoy the holiday. Lively vignettes of the roly-poly friends are placed against dark purple backgrounds for a festive yet mysterious air.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(3) PS Illustrated by Joyce Wan. This humorous riff on the new-sibling theme uses expressive pencil and digital illustrations and a succinct text to depict Pig arriving at and intruding on Pug's happy home. When Pug escapes through a doggy door, Pig tries to follow and gets stuck...until Pug (after some contemplation) widens the door. Now fast friends, Pug and Pig share everything, delivering a happy resolution.

Reviewer: Megan Dowd Lambert

(4) 4-6 Writing Builders series. Illustrated by Chi Chung. These five installments introduce fictional duos of kids tackling various writing projects. Though the series' solid information and writing tips are mostly suited to middle graders, they may not appreciate the childish framing stories and illustrations (unattractive in some books). Concise, helpful step-by-step instructions for building the titular piece of writing conclude each volume. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Writing Builders titles: Rick and Rachel Build a Research Report, Frank and Fiona Build a Fictional Story, Jesse and Jasmine Build a Journal, Nell and Nan Build Narrative Nonfiction, and Olivia and Oscar Build an Opinion Piece.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen